PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS School officials support coach

Pittsburgh Central Catholic had to drop out of the playoffs because two players were arrested.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pittsburgh Central Catholic coach Art Walker Jr. was given a vote of confidence by school officials at a meeting with parents.
Central Catholic dropped out of the District 7 Class AAAA playoffs after two players were arrested for their involvement in an alleged hazing incident. The diocese pulled Central Catholic from the playoffs because players did not come forth with information until the police became involved.
In the Navy
Kate Hobbs, a 6-2 senior at North Allegheny High School, has made a verbal commitment to play basketball at Navy.
A two-year starter, Hobbs averaged 13.5 points and 11.1 rebounds last season. She selected Navy over American, William & amp; Mary and Duquesne.
Small school, big talent
Joe Marafine is proof that what coaches and scouts say is true: If you are a good enough player, the Division I schools will find you.
Marafine is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound two-way lineman at Cambridge Springs High School just south of Edinboro. The Blue Devils have hardly been a football factory over the years, although they have had good teams.
Coach Walt Nottingham, who just completed his 20th season at the school, says he can't remember the last time one of his players was offered a Division I scholarship. Kent State made an offer to Marafine, and several other bigger schools have shown interest.
"We had a player walk-on as a punter at Penn State and he made the team, but that's about it," Nottingham said. "We've had some guys go Division II and III. It is kind of a neat thing for Joe and for the school that he's getting this kind of attention."
Marafine is a three-year starter on both sides of the ball, although Nottingham said most colleges want him as an offensive lineman. Wake Forest, Iowa and West Virginia have also shown interest.
"He's just an outstanding blocker," Nottingham said. "He doesn't do any other sports at the school. After football season, he just lifts weights."
Cambridge Springs complete in District 10 and finished with a 7-3 record, with two losses to district Class A champion West Middlesex. The Blue Devils were predominantly a running team.
"That doesn't mean Joe can't pass block -- he can," Nottingham said. "It wasn't his fault we just weren't any good at it."
Marafine received some advice about the recruiting process from Edinboro coach Lou Tepper, the former Illinois coach. He told Marafine the questions to ask and what to look for in a school.
"Lou wasn't trying to recruit Joe, although he said he'd love to have him," Nottingham said. "Lou is a good man and just offering some advice, which was good."